The Jersey City Homelessness Advocacy Group (JC-HAG) is currently hosting a coat and warm clothing drive which will end on Friday, Oct. 26. During this drive, residents can drop off coats, hats, gloves, and blankets at the Golden Door Charter School, 3040 Kennedy Blvd., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Drop offs can be made in the school’s front office.)

So that the organization has coats to hand out for the homeless, JC-HAG is asking residents to donate their CLEAN, gently-used coats. (Please do not donate old, tattered, ratty, or smelly items you would not wear yourself.) JC-HAG plans to distribute donated items to the city’s homeless on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Journal Square.

JC-HAG is a volunteer-based group that seeks to advocate for the homeless and needy in Jersey City and seeks to act as liaison between the homeless and available resources.

$5.8M street resurfacing project to begin

Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy will this week ask the City Council to authorize a $5.8 million contract to repave 15 miles’ worth of uneven and bumpy streets. The city’s 2012 street resurfacing project will repave 57 streets with $275,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding and $5.6 million in capital funds.

“This major resurfacing project includes streets big and small in neighborhoods across Jersey City, and is based both on resident feedback and engineering reports,” Mayor Jerramiah Healy said in a statement released last week. “With the completion of this project, nearly 100 miles of roadway will have been resurfaced since 2005, including much-awaited projects like Newark Avenue and Christopher Columbus Drive.”

The City Engineering Division is repaving a portion of Newark Avenue and adjoining side streets downtown, with the help of a $7.3 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

However, many streets remain troubled.

Ward C City Councilwoman Nidia Lopez recently asked the administration whether the current repaving of Newark Avenue would include the portion of the street near Journal Square.

“The merchants in India Square have been asking that Newark Avenue (between Kennedy Boulevard and Tonnelle Avenue) be repaved for years,” Lopez said at a recent City Council caucus meeting.

Other council members asked the administration about streets in their wards.

City Business Administrator Jack Kelly said he’d get back to them.

Jersey City’s Pavonia Branch Library closed due to flooding

The Pavonia Branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library, at 326 Eighth St., is closed until further notice, due to flooding and water damage. Electricity has been compromised and thus, has rendered computer usage inoperable.

The library’s administration is currently investigating the source and extent of the damage.

“We are disheartened about the need to close one of our branches, knowing how much Pavonia patrons enjoy their local branch. Please know we are working on getting the branch opened as soon as possible,” said Library Director Priscilla Gardner.

Chaplin Charles J. Watters School (PS 24) to hold fall Olympics

On Wednesday, Oct. 24 the Chaplin Charles J. Watters School (PS 24) will host a fall Olympics at Lincoln Park during school hours in an effort to build rapport and improve the culture and climate within the school. The teachers and support staff have organized events/competitions and the Food Services Department will provide lunch for students and staff.

Jersey City Film Forum to hold special Halloween screenings in Oct.

A chill is in the air, and it is not just the coming of winter. You’ve bought the pumpkin, decided on your costume, and stocked up on candy for the kids. Now, complete your Halloween celebration by watching horror films. Join the Jersey City Film Forum for screenings of two classic and very scary movies.

On Sunday, Oct. 21 the Film Forum will show “Suspiria,” an ultra-stylized and chilling freak-out by Italian horror maestro, Dario Argento. Then, on Sunday, Oct. 28 see the film “Army of Darkness,” an action-packed, comedy/horror masterpiece.

Screenings are held at 326 Fifth Street. Doors open at 7 p.m. Films begin at 7:30. There is a $5 suggested donation. Beverages are served and guests may bring their own beverages. The Film Forum asks that guests refrain from bringing food into the screening room.

Be afraid… be very afraid… (At least you won’t be alone in the dark….)

Last week the Assembly Environment Committee released legislation that appropriates more than $55 million to Green Acres project throughout the state. The bill, A3369, specifically designates $3.75 million to projects in Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, and Weehawken.

“I know how important open space projects are in densely-populated areas like the 33rd district,” said Assemblyman Ruben Ramos (D-Dist. 33rd), who sponsored the legislation. “This appropriation will ensure that municipalities in Hudson County receive essential resources for creating and updating parks and other open spaces.”

The funds for these improvements come from the 2009 Green Acres fund and the Green Acres, Farmland and Historic Preservation, and Blue Acres Bond Act of 1995. In the 33rd Legislative District, funds will be specifically targeted to: Skyway Riverfront Park, and Paulus Hook Park in Jersey City; the acquisition of the Union City Reservoir in Union City and Weehawken; Elysian Park in Hoboken; and the development of the Hudson County Recreation Center;

Assembly Bill 3369 received unanimous approval from the Assembly Environment Committee and is currently awaiting consideration by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.